;
Botanical ingredients
Our deep appreciation for nature serves as an endless source of inspiration for our natural cosmetic ingredients. We have more than 50 years of botanical extraction expertise, including pioneering new and proprietary extraction techniques that are more sustainable and preserve more of the active and useful molecules of our botanicals.
With consumer demand for products which are perceived as "natural" increasing, we offer a wide range of botanical extracts and natural cosmetic ingredients to substitute synthetic formulation ingredients in cosmetic formulation.
Botanical extracts are also key to the storytelling and brand identity of beauty products. The use of botanicals and minerals in personal care products creates the brand story; be that a connection to unique ingredients, powerful sensorial experiences, or innovative concepts. We draw insights from unexpected places – from the adaptation and protection strategies of plants, the diverse properties found in flora's biodiversity, and the study of mechanisms that stimulate the skin's natural physiological processes. From there, we create unique, trend-driven products that help you tell a captivating story.
Sustainable botanicals
Driven by our research and development expertise, along with our exclusive and environmentally friendly production methods, our products have gained international recognition.
Our plant extraction technologies allow us to extract the best of the plant and supply a large catalogue of international quality ingredients, including performance active ingredients and multifunctional formulation ingredients, that answer current market needs while maintaining our commitment to sustainable sourcing and production. These ingredients are not only safe but also effective.
To ensure that botanical extracts are as optimised as possible on an industrial scale, we use the Microwave and Eco-Sound™ processes, two rapid processes under mild conditions that respect heat-sensitive molecules.
Microwave extraction enables selective extraction, reduced energy consumption and solvent use, as well as long-term stability and improved homogeneity.
The Eco-sound process uses ultrasound to extract with very low energy consumption (9 Wh/kg of extracts according to our latest estimations), while having high yield and preserved active efficiency.
The zeodration process is exclusive to Croda in the beauty industry and is the most eco-responsible drying technique. This gentle solution respects the integrity of the active molecules while consuming less energy and producing less CO2 than other drying methods. It also allows easy titration of the botanical extracts for constant and reproductible concentration in active molecules.
We understand that different raw materials require specific approaches. That's why we tailor our processes to each one, carefully selecting the ideal excipients and technologies to extract the most valuable components from plants.
We work intensively with our supply chain to develop products that deliver more benefits with less impact by using a code of conduct covering both responsible relationships and purchasing. This code of conduct formalises our commitments and unites our partners around our shared values.